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Penn State Olympic Gold Medalist Horace Ashenfelter Passes Away

Penn State track and field legend Horace Ashenfelter passed away in his West Orange, New Jersey home on Saturday at the age of 94.

The 1952 Olympic champion in the 3000 meter steeplechase is the lone Penn State alumnus to win an individual gold medal at any Olympic Games. The race was dubbed a “Cold War Showdown” as Ashenfelter defeated heavily-favored Soviet Vladimir Kazantsev — chasing down his competitor in the final lap at Helsinki Olympic Stadium and breaking a world record in the process.

Ashenfelter, who was also an FBI agent during his competitive days in track and field, was a national and collegiate champion at various distances, but had only raced six previous times in the steeplechase — which incorporates hurdles and water jumps into its nearly two-mile event. He was the first, and currently only, American to win the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the Olympics.

The National Track Hall of Fame inducted Ashenfelter into its 1975 class and Penn State named its indoor facility, Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track, in honor of the two-time Olympian.

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About the Author

Steve Connelly

Unfortunately, former editor Steve Connelly has graduated. Where is he now? He might be doing something related to that PR degree he got in 2019. Maybe he finally opened that sports bar named after one of his photos, the Blurry Zamboni. Or he might just be eating chicken tenders and couch surfing. Anything’s possible. If you really want to know, follow him on Twitter @slc2o.

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